The 1st-Class Dress Code: 15 Travel Essentials Every Stylish Man Must Have

The 15 Stupid Simple Things Stylish Men Do Before Flying

Woke AF internet style sensation Sam White knows a thing or two about looking good 24/7. His Instagram (which has a following of 261,000 people, generating thousands of likes on each image), shows off the entrepreneur and fashion maven in a variety of situations -- from street to business, he always looks sharp and ready for anything. His site, SamWhiteOut, is a log of Fashion Week recaps, socio-political essays and tales of his many travels. Sam estimates that he travels between Washington D.C., New York and Philadelphia two to three times each month, in addition to other destinations in the U.S. at least once a month.

Whether you’re headed home for the holidays or to Japan for a business meeting, there’s no reason you can’t make the journey in style. Seriously, there’s no excuse for boarding a plane decked out in sweats, with a neck pillow, an eye mask on your forehead, a frown on your face, and shower sandals displaying your jacked-up feet.

Here are 15 essential travel tips and gear Sam shared with us to make getting there and back again a stylish, confident, and smooth trip.

Essential: A Watch

AskMen

When it comes to taking a trip, it’s not just a pair of pants or shoes that are a fashionable essential. “On a three- or four-day business trip, I always bring a watch. That’s something you’re wearing every day, it makes me feel a little more at home. It’s something small, that’s easily packed, but it adds a little touch.”

Make sure your watch is designed for activity: you never know when you’ll be hitting the gym, beach or climbing a wall. The G-SHOCK is designed not only to look good, but to take anything you can throw at it; shock and water resistant (to 200 meters), the mud-resist structure is built to ensure reliable operation wherever you may be traveling to.

Part of the Master of G series (there are three designs, focused on enduring conditions on the land, in the sky and at sea), Absolute Toughness incorporates technology passed down to every G-SHOCK model for more than 25 years. The green colorway combined with large, non-slip buttons and a non-slip textured watch band, emulates a military-style design goes well with any stylish black jacket, can be used while wearing gloves if you're off to somewhere cold, yet the IP finish on the bearing ring (there’s a digital compass) give it a sophisticated and stylish feel.

Essential: A Crossover Jacket

Sam White

Sometimes you have to transition from the airport to a meeting or the bar with no time to visit your room in between. “I’m always carrying a blazer or jacket. I layer a crewneck and a light jacket, because you can dress it up and down. Besides, planes can get so damn cold.”

Essential: A Stylish Pen

Sam White

We’re not talking pocket squares. You need a pen the way gentlemen in the ‘70s needed a Zippo lighter -- it always comes in handy when in line at customs. You don’t want to just whip out a BIC disposable. “I have a couple of different pens I carry in my backpack at all times,” says Sam. “Everyone has that one lucky pen. For me, it’s a random pen I stole from my dad one time when I was home for lunch. It writes so well, and I take it everywhere.” Bonus: It’s an awesome way to fill in the InFlight Magazine crossword puzzle.

Essential: TSA-Friendly Cologne

Sam White

Thanks to Homeland Security and the TSA, everything we carry onboard has to be miniature in stature. “Travel with a small bottle of cologne,” says Sam. “When you buy a bottle you like, ask for samples of it, and they have those small vials that are perfect for travel. Ask for five or six samples. It’s only a couple of spritzes, and if you lose one, it’s not a big deal.” If your significant other usually buys your scent, ask them to get the samples.

Essential: A "Me" Gift

AskMen

Traveling is a great, spontaneous opportunity to buy gifts for others, however Sam insists that it is also a good excuse to indulge yourself just a little bit. He suggests collecting mementos from the places you visit. “When I’m visiting colleges and universities, I get a crew neck with the school’s name on it. There’s no point in traveling if you’re not going to treat yourself a little bit. But don’t do shot glasses,” he jokes. “Everyone’s done that.”

Essential: Good Manners

Sam White

“If you’re staying with friends,” says Sam, “do a little something extra to be nice. I don’t mean like paying for dinner. More like going out of your way to go ahead and do dishes, or grab the vacuum. Whatever the small thing is that you can contribute to the small space they opened for you. People are so much more willing to have you back again. And don’t forget the power of leaving a "thank you" note, if you’re staying in their place when they’re not around. It’s a really nice thing to come back to.”

Essential: Useful Hats

Sam White

Rather than carrying around a beanbag pillow that serves one purpose and looks dumb, turn what you already have into a comfort zone. “I usually travel with one of those Dad Hats (a soft baseball cap),” says Sam. “I can put it over my face if I’m trying to take a nap, or roll it up and use it as a pillow. It’s convenient. It also protects your hair if you have to go from the airport to an event.” Likewise, Sam says a hoodie is an all-purpose tool: It keeps you warm, shields you from your seatmate’s reading light and works as a pillow against the window.

Essential: Practical Headphones

Sam White

Everyone wants to listen to music or watch a movie on a long flight. But do you need to haul giant over-ears that might get lost or damaged?

“I used to be super dedicated to my noise-canceling headphones,” says Sam, “but it became more of a hassle than anything. For me, I love my Bose earbuds. They last a long time, they’re way better than Apple’s, and not crazy expensive.”

Essential: Comfortable Shoes

Sam White

If you’ve ever seen Planes, Trains & Automobiles, we’re sure you remember the scene where John Candy takes off his shoes and aerates the plane with his stinky socks. If that’s you, stop it. No flip-flops, no gym sandals, no ancient, nasty kicks.

“Shoes are super important,” says Sam. “A basic white sneaker, like a Stan Smith, where you can tie the laces, but it slips off quickly for security. That’s ideal. Plus a clean white sneaker works in meetings. You also always have to have a pair of dress shoes, nothing super fancy, but ones you can wear to a meeting, then if it’s 6 or 7 and you’re going to the bar to meet up for drinks, you can look prepared.”

Essential: A Good Book

Sam White

These days, we’re spoiled with in-air WiFi and tablets filled with movies. But there are times in the air (or waiting for a delayed flight) when devices fail you. “I always have two books with me. One is for fun, and one is more educational. Currently I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larson and Counting Decent by Clint Smith. I see these times as opportunities, like when I’m in the subway and there’s no cell reception, to catch up on my reading.”

Essential: Gum and Tissues

Sam White

Part of smoothing up is having respect for others, including your seatmates on the plane. “I always bring gum,” says Sam. “You bring gum as much for the comfort of other people around you as you do for yourself. I also always carry tissues or napkins with me. If someone spills a drink, you can offer something more than that little airline cocktail napkin.” He also travels with two iPhone cords at all times, not just for himself, but “because there’s always someone asking for a charger.”

Essential: A Positive Attitude

Sam White

“Style is not just about the things you bring with you,” Sam insists. “It’s about being relaxed and composed, how you can make the most of your traveling experience, and handle whatever bumps you run into.” To that end he suggests three things: “Do your damndest to be early, so you don’t have to rush. And don’t be one of those grumpy travelers: It only makes things worse for you and the people around you. A smile and a thank you goes a long way, especially if you have to ask for a favor (say, on an overbooked flight). And three, do not mess with the flight attendants. Even if you’re stuck with the meanest flight attendant in the world, nothing good will come of a confrontation.”

Essential: Just Enjoy The Trip

AskMen

We all know sleep is important, b­ut you came here to party (or see museums or grandma or whatever). So live with the bags under your eyes and savor the now. “Barring a situation where you need to be super well rested, you’re going to really dope places where you’ll never get to enjoy as much as you want. You can sleep when you get home.”